Flooding in Nigeria has claimed 245 lives and displaced 214,997 people across 28 states, with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) calling for stronger coordination and improved disaster preparedness amid concerns over the anticipated 2026/2027 El Niño phenomenon.

The agency disclosed that 673,350 people had been affected by flooding across 134 local government areas as of October 20, 2026.

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According to a statement issued by NEMA on Friday, the figures were presented by its Director-General, Zubaida Umar, at the National Emergency Coordination Forum held at Ajuji Greenwich Hotel in Abuja.

Umar, represented by the Director of Planning, Research and Forecasting, Godwin Topikor, said the scale of the flooding underscored the need to review ongoing interventions, identify response gaps and strengthen collaboration among relevant stakeholders.

She stressed that effective disaster management required coordinated action by government agencies, humanitarian organisations and development partners to reduce the impact of emergencies on affected communities.

The forum brought together representatives of ministries, departments and agencies, security institutions, humanitarian organisations and development partners to assess emerging disaster risks and improve preparedness and response mechanisms.

The agency also raised concerns about public health risks in communities affected by flooding, noting that displacement, poor sanitation and limited access to essential services could expose vulnerable populations to additional dangers.

Umar emphasised the importance of enhanced surveillance, timely information sharing and coordinated preparedness against emerging public health threats.

The discussions included updates on cholera and measures to strengthen health responses in disaster-affected areas.

NEMA urged stakeholders to prioritise the protection of vulnerable groups, including women, children, older persons and people with disabilities.

The NEMA chief called on relevant institutions to strengthen preparations for the anticipated 2026/2027 El Niño phenomenon, urging them to harmonise climate forecasts and translate early warning information into practical preventive measures.

She said coordinated planning was essential to minimise potential damage to lives, livelihoods and critical infrastructure.

Umar also urged participating institutions to improve operational collaboration, avoid duplication of efforts and strengthen early warning, risk reduction, emergency response and sustainable recovery measures.

The forum featured technical presentations on the current flooding situation, cholera updates, the anticipated El Niño phenomenon and its hydrological implications, as well as global and regional climate outlooks.

Participants also reviewed preparedness and response priorities across key sectors, including food security, health, education, water, sanitation and hygiene, nutrition, emergency shelter, logistics, security and information management.

In his welcome address, the Deputy Director of Planning, Research and Forecasting, Tony Ephraim, urged participants to contribute practical recommendations to address operational gaps and improve information sharing.

He said stronger collaboration among emergency management stakeholders was necessary to improve national preparedness and response to ongoing emergencies and anticipated disaster risks.

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NEMA reiterated the importance of a proactive, multisectoral approach to disaster management, with coordinated planning and early action central to protecting communities from future emergencies.